Waller loads up on 2017 Doncaster Mile nominations

Sydney’s premiership winning trainer Chris Waller is giving himself every chance to win his fifth Star Doncaster Mile in succession after twenty-two of his gallopers were among the nominations for the rich $3m Group 1 run over the famous Randwick Mile (1600m) on the first day of 2017 ‘The Championships’ on April 1.

The Chris Waller trainer Omei Sword, above, is among the nominations for the 2017 Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Chris Waller trainer Omei Sword, above, is among the nominations for the 2017 Doncaster Mile at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

One hundred and fifty horses have been nominated for the Doncaster Mile and as well and Waller’s huge contingent, there were also six Japanese trained horses entered.

Waller has won the last four Doncaster Miles with Sacred Falls winning back to back in 2013 and 2014, Kermadec took the wining prize in 2015 and super mare Winx scored an historic win last year.

Winx won’t be running in this year’s Doncaster Mile but is currently the short priced favourite to win the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on day two of ‘The Championships,’ a week later.

Waller’s standout contenders from his twenty-two nominations are his three year olds Comin’ Through, Foxplay, Sezanne, Veladero and Omei Sword while the best of his older brigade appear to be Counterattack, Mackintosh, Strawberry Boy, Religify, Vanbrugh, McCreey and Irish import Endless Drama.

Trainer John O’Shea also has double digit nominations for the Doncaster Mile with thirteen of the Godolphin Team entered.

Multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell heads up O’Shea’s older horses to tackle the tough Randwick Mile along with Hauraki and It’s Somewhat while Astern heads up the three year old contingent that includes Achi Baba, Bezel, Malaise and Morton’s Fork.

Stakes winning three year olds Attention and Russian Revolution heads up Team Snowden’s eight nominations for the Doncaster Mile.

Attention was the winner of the Group 2 $250,000 Mitavite BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350m) at Doomben during the 2016 Brisbane Winter Carnival while Russian Revolution downed Astern in winning the Group 2 $300,000 The Star Roman Consul (1200m) at Randwick during the 2016 Sydney Spring Carnival.

Gai Waterhouse has won the Doncaster Mile on seven occasions and is keen to claim the winning trophy again after joining up with co-trainer Adrian Bott and they have six horses nominated for the race, Ecudaor, English, Global Glamour, Savvy Nature, Thronum and Kiwi Group 1 winning three year old Ugo Foscolo.

The Lindsay Park’s fourteen Doncaster Mile nominations are headed up by their top three year old Seaburge and Group 1 winner He’s Our Rokkii.

2016 Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet is one of three nominations from the Team Hawkes stable.

The O’Shea trained Hauraki and Waller’s Omei Sword head up the Doncaster Mile early market order at Ladbrokes.com.au at $10 just ahead of the Kris Lees trained Le Romain at $11 with Comin’ Through, Divine Prophet and McCreey sharing the next line of betting at $13.

Early market order for The Star Doncaster Mile at Ladbrokes.com.au: $10 Hauraki, $11 Omei Sword, $11 Le Romain, $13 Comin’ Through, Divine Prophet, McCreey, $15 Mackintosh, Seaburge, Black Heart Bart, $21 Dibayani, He’s Our Rokkii, Morton’s Fork, $26 or more the rest.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.